CarlyPearce scored big time when she secured one of the most beloved voices in Country music on the lead single of her new album, hummingbird, and now she’s sharing exactly how she made it happen.

Admitting she didn’t originally write the song with a feature in mind, that quickly changed when her intuition screamed, “Chris Stapleton.” Knowing Chris has no shortage of requests and an overflowing inbox, Pearce got creative about getting in touch with him by deciding to reach out to his wife, Morgane.

“I knew his wife better than him and I’ve loved Morgane [since] back when Morgane was an artist back in Nashville — I used to listed to her demos all the time back when she was Morgane Hayes,” Carly shared. “I just DM’d her on Instagram.”

Pearce says Morgane returned her direct message within an hour and said “just call me.”

“I was so scared,” Carly recalled. “I called her and I’ll never forget, she was like, ‘Oh, I’m just vacuuming. What’s going on?’”

After explaining she hoped to get Chris on her song, Pearce says Morgane kept things real with her by sharing she’d have to be “honest” about the feedback and wanted to make sure feelings wouldn’t get hurt.

“She was like, ‘We get a lot of asks… We have to be honest when we listen. Is it OK if we pass, is it OK regardless?’” Carly shared. “I was like, ‘I just want him to hear the song, that’s all I care about.”

It was months until Pearce got the feedback she’d been waiting for, and it turned out to be worth the wait as Morgane reached out just ahead of the 2023 GRAMMY Awards telling Pearce Chris would be happy to do the song.

Fast forward to almost a year to the day later, Carly and Chris would be nominated for a GRAMMY with the song at the 2024 Awards. “It was wild,” Pearce said of the timing surrounding it all.

“We Don’t Fight Anymore,” continues to climb up the Country charts a year after it’s release and was the first song to introduce fans to Carly’s newest album, hummingbird, which released earlier this month. The project is her first album in three years and as expected, was well worth the wait.

“I think because my songs are so personal, it is very difficult to rush that process until it’s time, so I didn’t,” she shared of her creative process taking longer than many fans would’ve liked. “In hindsight, I’m glad that I just took my time and made the album that I could stand very proudly on all 14 songs.”

To hear ore about the project, plus the full story of getting Chris on the song, check out Carly’s entire interview with Audacy’s Rob + Holly on the Friday Night Takeover above.

Words by Monica Rivera Interview by Rob + Holly

Carly Pearce scored big time when she secured one of the most beloved voices in Country music on the lead single of her new album, hummingbird, and now she’s sharing exactly how she made it happen.
Admitting she didn’t originally write the song with a feature in mind, that quickly changed when her intuition screamed, “Chris Stapleton.” Knowing Chris has no shortage of requests and an overflowing inbox, Pearce got creative about getting in touch with him by deciding to reach out to his wife, Morgane.
“I knew his wife better than him and I’ve loved Morgane [since] back when Morgane was an artist back in Nashville — I used to listed to her demos all the time back when she was Morgane Hayes,” Carly shared. “I just DM’d her on Instagram.”
Pearce says Morgane returned her direct message within an hour and said “just call me.”
“I was so scared,” Carly recalled. “I called her and I’ll never forget, she was like, ‘Oh, I’m just vacuuming. What’s going on?’”
After explaining she hoped to get Chris on her song, Pearce says Morgane kept things real with her by sharing she’d have to be “honest” about the feedback and wanted to make sure feelings wouldn’t get hurt.
“She was like, ‘We get a lot of asks… We have to be honest when we listen. Is it OK if we pass, is it OK regardless?’” Carly shared. “I was like, ‘I just want him to hear the song, that’s all I care about.”
It was months until Pearce got the feedback she’d been waiting for, and it turned out to be worth the wait as Morgane reached out just ahead of the 2023 GRAMMY Awards telling Pearce Chris would be happy to do the song.
Fast forward to almost a year to the day later, Carly and Chris would be nominated for a GRAMMY with the song at the 2024 Awards. “It was wild,” Pearce said of the timing surrounding it all.
“We Don’t Fight Anymore,” continues to climb up the Country charts a year after it’s release and was the first song to introduce fans to Carly’s newest album, hummingbird, which released earlier this month. The project is her first album in three years and as expected, was well worth the wait.
“I think because my songs are so personal, it is very difficult to rush that process until it’s time, so I didn’t,” she shared of her creative process taking longer than many fans would’ve liked. “In hindsight, I’m glad that I just took my time and made the album that I could stand very proudly on all 14 songs.”
To hear ore about the project, plus the full story of getting Chris on the song, check out Carly’s entire interview with Audacy’s Rob + Holly on the Friday Night Takeover above.
Words by Monica Rivera Interview by Rob + Holly

Rob Stone and Holly Hutton give you the VIP treatment as ACM Award-winning personalities, connecting you with your favorite Country artists every weeknight on Audacy radio stations nationwide. Join the high-energy duo as they keep your nights interesting with one-of-a-kind artist interviews, the latest Country news and real-life anecdotes from their own eventful lives. When not on your airwaves, you can catch Rob Stone on-stage as a singer-songwriter and Holly Hutton on her farm, rescuing horses. What are you waiting for? Listen now!

Rob Stone and Holly Hutton give you the VIP treatment as ACM Award-winning personalities, connecting you with your favorite Country artists every weeknight on Audacy radio stations nationwide. Join the high-energy duo as they keep your nights interesting with one-of-a-kind artist interviews, the latest Country news and real-life anecdotes from their own eventful lives. When not on your airwaves, you can catch Rob Stone on-stage as a singer-songwriter and Holly Hutton on her farm, rescuing horses. What are you waiting for? Listen now!

Rob Stone and Holly Hutton give you the VIP treatment as ACM Award-winning personalities, connecting you with your favorite Country artists every weeknight on Audacy radio stations nationwide.

Rob + Holly

Carly Pearce | Friday Night Takeover

Jason Aldean’s wildly successful career has led him to meet millions of people around the world including his newest pal, HulkHogan.

The pair’s new friendship was on full display at Rock The Country music festival in Ocala, FL where Hogan served as Aldean’s hype man before going on stage and even joined him during the set. “In this business, I’ve learned you never know what’s going to happen the next day,” Aldean told Audacy’s Rob + Holly before sharing, “I had no idea I’d be buddies with Hulk Hogan, but here we are.”

He continued on to share how the two became friends after an interaction a few years ago when Hogan’s daughter was looking to try her luck at Country music. “I kinda talked to him on the phone a few years ago — his daughter was in town doing the Country thing, trying to be an artist or whatever and he had contacted me about seeing if I had any interest in working with her or producing her. At the time, I was busy, I couldn’t do it, I was kind of wrapped with my own stuff; making records and touring and stuff.”

He added, “Fast forward, DJSilver got a house down in Florida close to where Hulk is and they start hittin’ it off, hanging out — next thing I know, Hulk’s coming out to our shows, hanging out and I got to be friends with this guy that I grew up thinking was a superhero. It’s been really cool.”

As Jason embraces a new friendship with Hulk, his childhood hero, he’s mourning the loss of another as he grieves the death of good pal and legendary Country artist, TobyKeith. Jason recently paid tribute to Toby at the ACM Award with a stripped down version of Keith’s hit from 1993, “Should’ve Been A Cowboy.”

“The ACMs asked if I’d come do a tribute for Toby… I was like, ‘Yeah, I’m down.’” Jason explained. ”They told me what they wanted to do — show some pictures of him from throughout his career and his life. We wanted to make sure we did something that was equally as epic as his career was.”

He continued, “Me and a couple of my guitar players just sat around one day in rehearsals and just came up with the slower version… where it just felt a little moodier and set the tone a little bit more for what the performance and what the moment was going to be.”

Knowing it was a risk to switch up a classic, Jason said he felt confident going into the performance after receiving a blessing from Toby’s wife and family after they heard the new rendition. “It’s always tough when you change up a song like that so drastically. Obviously, I’ve sang that song the way he did a million times, but we wanted to do something different for the show,” he shared.

“His wife called me that night and thanked me, kind of gave it her stamp of approval from her and the family, which was the icing on the cake for me. I was glad I got a chance to be a part of it and honor him and I’m glad that his family and everybody approved.”

While approval from Keith’s family meant everything to Jason, he admitted he had to avoid eye contact with them during the show to make sure he could keep his composure.

“It was cool to be able to do it, but it was equally sad t the same time sort of saying goodbye to somebody who was that legendary in our business,” he explained. “His family was sitting’ in front of me and I looked down at his family I think once and I was like, ‘Nope! Can’t do that.’ You can tell they’re still hurtin’ and it’s something they may never get over. It was tough to see, but I’m glad they liked the way we honored him and approved of it. That meant everything.”

Hear more about Aldean’s moving performance, new pal Hulk Hogan and whether or not he’d encourage his kids to pursue a music career by checking out Jason’s full conversation with Rob + Holly on Audacy’s Friday Night Takeover above.

Words by Monica Rivera Interview by Rob + Holly

Jason Aldean’s wildly successful career has led him to meet millions of people around the world including his newest pal, Hulk Hogan.
The pair’s new friendship was on full display at Rock The Country music festival in Ocala, FL where Hogan served as Aldean’s hype man before going on stage and even joined him during the set. “In this business, I’ve learned you never know what’s going to happen the next day,” Aldean told Audacy’s Rob + Holly before sharing, “I had no idea I’d be buddies with Hulk Hogan, but here we are.”
He continued on to share how the two became friends after an interaction a few years ago when Hogan’s daughter was looking to try her luck at Country music. “I kinda talked to him on the phone a few years ago — his daughter was in town doing the Country thing, trying to be an artist or whatever and he had contacted me about seeing if I had any interest in working with her or producing her. At the time, I was busy, I couldn’t do it, I was kind of wrapped with my own stuff; making records and touring and stuff.”
He added, “Fast forward, DJ Silver got a house down in Florida close to where Hulk is and they start hittin’ it off, hanging out — next thing I know, Hulk’s coming out to our shows, hanging out and I got to be friends with this guy that I grew up thinking was a superhero. It’s been really cool.”
As Jason embraces a new friendship with Hulk, his childhood hero, he’s mourning the loss of another as he grieves the death of good pal and legendary Country artist, Toby Keith. Jason recently paid tribute to Toby at the ACM Award with a stripped down version of Keith’s hit from 1993, “Should’ve Been A Cowboy.”
“The ACMs asked if I’d come do a tribute for Toby… I was like, ‘Yeah, I’m down.’” Jason explained. ”They told me what they wanted to do — show some pictures of him from throughout his career and his life. We wanted to make sure we did something that was equally as epic as his career was.”
He continued, “Me and a couple of my guitar players just sat around one day in rehearsals and just came up with the slower version… where it just felt a little moodier and set the tone a little bit more for what the performance and what the moment was going to be.”
Knowing it was a risk to switch up a classic, Jason said he felt confident going into the performance after receiving a blessing from Toby’s wife and family after they heard the new rendition. “It’s always tough when you change up a song like that so drastically. Obviously, I’ve sang that song the way he did a million times, but we wanted to do something different for the show,” he shared.
“His wife called me that night and thanked me, kind of gave it her stamp of approval from her and the family, which was the icing on the cake for me. I was glad I got a chance to be a part of it and honor him and I’m glad that his family and everybody approved.”
While approval from Keith’s family meant everything to Jason, he admitted he had to avoid eye contact with them during the show to make sure he could keep his composure.
“It was cool to be able to do it, but it was equally sad t the same time sort of saying goodbye to somebody who was that legendary in our business,” he explained. “His family was sitting’ in front of me and I looked down at his family I think once and I was like, ‘Nope! Can’t do that.’ You can tell they’re still hurtin’ and it’s something they may never get over. It was tough to see, but I’m glad they liked the way we honored him and approved of it. That meant everything.”
Hear more about Aldean’s moving performance, new pal Hulk Hogan and whether or not he’d encourage his kids to pursue a music career by checking out Jason’s full conversation with Rob + Holly on Audacy’s Friday Night Takeover above.
Words by Monica Rivera Interview by Rob + Holly

Jason Aldean | Friday Night Takeover

New music from MeganMoroney is here. The 26-year-old debuted her sophomore album last week, and while it takes fans on an emotional roller-coaster with her beloved “Sad Girl Country” sound and literally poses the question Am I OK? with the title, the 26-year-old says things are going more than OK.

While first clarifying she’s “absolutely not” in love, the Georgia-native says she has other things to celebrate as she feels her music is the best it’s ever been and is in the opening slot on the Kenny Chesney tour.

“I always view my career as ‘It hasn’t happened yet,’ and I think that’s what keeps me working really hard,” she told Audacy’s Rob + Hollywhen asked if she feels like she’s “made it.”

“Being able to watch Kenny every night is definitely like a ‘pinch me’ moment… I grew up listening to him. In 2018, I was the girl in the 300 section watching him do a stadium tour. For it to change and now I get to open for him, it’s just [amazing]... It’s like, the best thing that I’ve ever done. It’s so fun, I can’t believe I get to spend my summer doing this. We are definitely OK on this tour, it’s just amazing.”

There’s no question Moroney’s music has resonated with millions on the road, but it’s also made an impact through the speakers as she currently holds the title of ACM New Female Artist of the Year. Knowing her music is relating to millions is something she takes great pride in as she always works to keep the music less about her and more about the fans.

“It kind of ruins the song if I go into detail about who they’re about,” she said of why she doesn’t provide detailed context surrounding her songs. “I like my songs to be able to relate to everyone. Whatever way you hear it — whoever you think of when you here my songs, I want that to be who the song is about.”

Hear much more about the album, tour, and the third project she’s already working on by checking out Megan’s full conversation with Audacy’s Rob + Holly above.

Words by Monica Rivera Interview by Rob + Holly

New music from Megan Moroney is here. The 26-year-old debuted her sophomore album last week, and while it takes fans on an emotional roller-coaster with her beloved “Sad Girl Country” sound and literally poses the question Am I OK? with the title, the 26-year-old says things are going more than OK.
While first clarifying she’s “absolutely not” in love, the Georgia-native says she has other things to celebrate as she feels her music is the best it’s ever been and is in the opening slot on the Kenny Chesney tour.
“I always view my career as ‘It hasn’t happened yet,’ and I think that’s what keeps me working really hard,” she told Audacy’s Rob + Holly<a href="https://www.audacy.com/topic/rob-and-holly"> </a>when asked if she feels like she’s “made it.”
“Being able to watch Kenny every night is definitely like a ‘pinch me’ moment… I grew up listening to him. In 2018, I was the girl in the 300 section watching him do a stadium tour. For it to change and now I get to open for him, it’s just [amazing]... It’s like, the best thing that I’ve ever done. It’s so fun, I can’t believe I get to spend my summer doing this. We are definitely OK on this tour, it’s just amazing.”
There’s no question Moroney’s music has resonated with millions on the road, but it’s also made an impact through the speakers as she currently holds the title of ACM New Female Artist of the Year. Knowing her music is relating to millions is something she takes great pride in as she always works to keep the music less about her and more about the fans.
“It kind of ruins the song if I go into detail about who they’re about,” she said of why she doesn’t provide detailed context surrounding her songs. “I like my songs to be able to relate to everyone. Whatever way you hear it — whoever you think of when you here my songs, I want that to be who the song is about.”
Hear much more about the album, tour, and the third project she’s already working on by checking out Megan’s full conversation with Audacy’s Rob + Holly above.
Words by Monica Rivera Interview by Rob + Holly

Megan Moroney | Friday Night Takeover

It’s been just over a month since the release of DariusRucker’s memoir, Life’s Too Short, and the project has allowed fans to see into his life, career, and success like never before.

Joining Audacy’s Rob + Holly for a conversation on the Friday Night Takeover, Darius shared the book is one that’s near and dear to his heart as it tells the most cherished and life-changing stories he’s been waiting to tell for a while. “They’ve been asking me to write it [a memoir] for a long time and I always said if I ever wrote it, I would tell the truth and wait until my kids were adults,” he shared. “They’re adults now and Harper [Publishing] came to me and they were persistent and finally I said, ‘Yeah.’ I’m glad I wrote it now.”

One of the most jaw-dropping stories told by Darius in the book is in the opening when he shares his friend and actor, Woody Harrelson, saved him after Rucker got caught in a current while swimming to a small island with Harrelson in Hawaii.

“I remember that day and I was ready to die,” Rucker said recalling the experience. “When I told him to let me go, I was serious. I was done, I just wanted to go. Not on his watch, is what he said and I’m still here because of Woody Harrelson.”

While Darius credits any life lived after that near-death experience to Harrelson heroic actions, he also takes time to pay great credit to retired late-night host, David Letterman, who helped Darius’ band, Hootie and the Blowfish, get their start.

“I don’t know if he knows the book is out,” Rucker said when asked of Letterman’s reaction. “But he knows if I’m going to write a book, he’s going to be in it... Dave Letterman made our careers. If David didn’t call us and say, 'Come play my show,' I’m not here talkin’ to you guys right now,” he said before detailing just how much growth the band saw after appearing on the show in 1994.

“We were on three [or] four radio stations… all in the Carolinas, one in Atlanta [before going on David Letterman,] That Monday, after Letterman, we were the most-added band [to radio] the next week, every day.”

Hootie and the Blowfish has maintained that success for 30 years now and Darius has even experienced great success as a solo artists in the Country realm. Finding a balance between his solo career and time with the band has been crucial for Rucker, and while his time on stage with each is very different he knows there’s always bound to be some cross over.

“We do a couple of my Country songs in the Hootie set and I do three Hootie songs in my [solo] set,” he shared. Balance doesn’t only come at his shows, he’s often working on things for both off the stage as well. For example, as Rucker readies to hit the road with Hootie and the Blowfish for an upcoming 30th reunion tour, he’s also celebrating  the transformation of a track from his latest solo album, Carolyn’s Boy, into a duet.

Rucker recently enlisted help from fellow Country artist Jennifer Nettles to give one of the solo tracks, “Never Been Over,” some magical duet treatment. He expressed his immense gratitude for Nettles agreeing to join him, admitting it would have been hard to find someone better for the part had she declined. “Ever since I heard ‘Stay,’ I said, ‘I don’t know who this is, but I want to sing with her,’" Rucker recalled of the first time he remembers hearing Nettles’ voice. “She just killed that song,” he said of her talent showcased on “Never Been Over.” “She just took it to a whole new level.”

For more on Darius new song with Nettles, his memoir, and experiences with Hootie and the Blowfish, check out his entire conversation with Audacy’s Rob + Holly above.

Words by Monica Rivera Interview by Rob + Holly

It’s been just over a month since the release of Darius Rucker’s memoir, Life’s Too Short, and the project has allowed fans to see into his life, career, and success like never before.
Joining Audacy’s Rob + Holly for a conversation on the Friday Night Takeover, Darius shared the book is one that’s near and dear to his heart as it tells the most cherished and life-changing stories he’s been waiting to tell for a while. “They’ve been asking me to write it [a memoir] for a long time and I always said if I ever wrote it, I would tell the truth and wait until my kids were adults,” he shared. “They’re adults now and Harper [Publishing] came to me and they were persistent and finally I said, ‘Yeah.’ I’m glad I wrote it now.”
One of the most jaw-dropping stories told by Darius in the book is in the opening when he shares his friend and actor, Woody Harrelson, saved him after Rucker got caught in a current while swimming to a small island with Harrelson in Hawaii.
“I remember that day and I was ready to die,” Rucker said recalling the experience. “When I told him to let me go, I was serious. I was done, I just wanted to go. Not on his watch, is what he said and I’m still here because of Woody Harrelson.”
While Darius credits any life lived after that near-death experience to Harrelson heroic actions, he also takes time to pay great credit to retired late-night host, David Letterman, who helped Darius’ band, Hootie and the Blowfish, get their start.
“I don’t know if he knows the book is out,” Rucker said when asked of Letterman’s reaction. “But he knows if I’m going to write a book, he’s going to be in it... Dave Letterman made our careers. If David didn’t call us and say, 'Come play my show,' I’m not here talkin’ to you guys right now,” he said before detailing just how much growth the band saw after appearing on the show in 1994.
“We were on three [or] four radio stations… all in the Carolinas, one in Atlanta [before going on David Letterman,] That Monday, after Letterman, we were the most-added band [to radio] the next week, every day.”
Hootie and the Blowfish has maintained that success for 30 years now and Darius has even experienced great success as a solo artists in the Country realm. Finding a balance between his solo career and time with the band has been crucial for Rucker, and while his time on stage with each is very different he knows there’s always bound to be some cross over.
“We do a couple of my Country songs in the Hootie set and I do three Hootie songs in my [solo] set,” he shared. Balance doesn’t only come at his shows, he’s often working on things for both off the stage as well. For example, as Rucker readies to hit the road with Hootie and the Blowfish for an upcoming 30th reunion tour, he’s also celebrating  the transformation of a track from his latest solo album, Carolyn’s Boy, into a duet.
Rucker recently enlisted help from fellow Country artist Jennifer Nettles to give one of the solo tracks, “Never Been Over,” some magical duet treatment. He expressed his immense gratitude for Nettles agreeing to join him, admitting it would have been hard to find someone better for the part had she declined. “Ever since I heard ‘Stay,’ I said, ‘I don’t know who this is, but I want to sing with her,’" Rucker recalled of the first time he remembers hearing Nettles’ voice. “She just killed that song,” he said of her talent showcased on “Never Been Over.” “She just took it to a whole new level.”
For more on Darius new song with Nettles, his memoir, and experiences with Hootie and the Blowfish, check out his entire conversation with Audacy’s Rob + Holly above.
Words by Monica Rivera Interview by Rob + Holly

Carly Pearce | Friday Night Takeover

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